Lawsuit Challenges Biden Sanctions on Israelis

Levi Yitzchak Pilant and Issachar Manne, American-Israeli citizens living in the West Bank, have filed a federal lawsuit against the Biden administration, claiming that sanctions imposed under Executive Order 14115 violate their constitutional rights to due process and equal protection. The lawsuit alleges that these sanctions have disproportionately targeted Jews in the West Bank, based on claims from anti-Israel groups without adequate investigation. The sanctions have resulted in significant financial hardships, including frozen bank accounts and canceled credit cards, impacting their ability to conduct daily activities. Legal representatives from the National Jewish Advocacy Center and other firms argue that the administration's actions represent a double standard and question the validity of the evidence used to impose the sanctions. The Biden administration's sanctions, implemented to address violence and instability in the region, have faced criticism for lacking impartiality and transparency. Critics assert that the sanctions perpetuate a narrative framing Jewish settlements as a root cause of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, further complicating the legal and diplomatic landscape.